KBO's ERA, strikeout champion wins top Korean pitching award
Doosan Bears starter Gwak Been, who led the Korean baseball league in ERA and strikeouts this year, was named the recipient of the country's top pitching award Monday. Gwak was chosen as the winner of the 2026 Choi Dong-won Award. Named after the late former pitcher in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), the award has been recognizing the top hurler in the KBO since 2014. The award selection…
Doosan Bears pitcher Gwak Been received the 2026 Choi Dong-won Award, the Korean baseball league's top pitching honor, on Monday. The award, named after a former pitcher, has been presented annually since 2014 to recognize the league's best hurler. Gwak received first-place votes from six of seven selection committee members. The 27-game starter went 11-7, allowing just 2.24 earned runs per nine innings and striking out 197 opponents.
He was the only starter in the KBO to maintain an ERA under 3.00 during the season. Gwak's performance was instrumental in Korea's gold medal win at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September, where he struck out 19 batters in two starts, including a crucial game against Japan. To be eligible for the award, a player must start at least 25 games, pitch 180 innings, record 12 wins, strike out 150 batters, maintain a sub-3.00 ERA, and have at least 15 quality starts for relievers.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- KBO's ERA, strikeout champion wins top Korean pitching award koreatimes.co.kr
- KBO's ERA, strikeout champion wins top S. Korean pitching award en.yna.co.kr
